Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy: Eliminate Longhorn Network

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy believes that the Big 12 is falling behind other Power Five conferences that have their own television networks and points to Texas’ Longhorn Network as part of the problem.

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Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy believes that the Big 12 is falling behind other Power Five conferences that have their own television networks and points to Texas’ Longhorn Network as part of the problem, according to CBS Sports.

Gundy talked about issues like conference stability and lackluster recruiting when saying that the Big 12 needs a network like that of the SEC or Big Ten, and that the Longhorn Network needs to be abandoned.

“If we don't eliminate the Longhorn Network and create our own network, they're going to continue to have issues with this league,” Gundy said.

“You don't have a Big 12 Network; you have a network within the league that people consider a failure.”

Texas and the Longhorn Network are currently in an exclusive deal with ESPN that pays out $295 million over 20 years. However, the network has reportedly lost $48 million since it launched in 2011.

Gundy is the first coach in the conference to openly criticize the Longhorn Network. He did not blame Texas for experimenting with the network, but said that changes will have to be made to benefit the conference as a whole in the future.